while our country has made significant strides in racial equality it very. soften seemsoften it seems we're going the opposite way against poverty with nearly 50 million people now living at or beneath poverty. carrying the torch and renewing the battle against poverty is television and radio host author, activist tavis smily. now tavis's goal is to reduce poverty in half in ten years and completely eradicate it in 25. while that may seem like an impossible goal, let's remember another quote from dr. king. we must accept finite disappointment but never loss infinite hope. now joining me now is host of tavis smily on pbs and the tavis smily show on public radio international. >> thank you. >> why are we going the wrong way against poverty in this country? >> the elite number one. they also don't contribute to the campaigns of the level of the elite. and thirdly they don't have a street fortunately of lobbyists to represent their point of view. result poor people in this country continue to be rendered invisible. >> john: what would you like to see this presid